# US 10,371,350 B2 · Asymmetric turning film with multiple light sources

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- Number: US 10,371,350 B2
- Document ID: US10371350B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/300,707
- Filed: 2015-03-27
- Published: 2017-06-22
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-01
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson; Gilles J. Benoit; John A. Wheatley; Kenneth A. Epstein; David Scott Thompson; Michael E. Lauters
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371350B2

## CPC

- F21V 5/002: {using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light}
- F21V 5/08: producing an asymmetric light distribution
- F21V 9/14: for producing polarised light
- G02B 5/0231: {the surface having microprismatic or micropyramidal shape (macroscopic prism arrays G02B5/045)}
- G02B 5/0278: {used in transmission}
- G02B 6/0053: {Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer}
- G02B 19/0028: {refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems}
- G02B 19/0047: {for use with a light source (G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence; details of lighting devices in general F21V; non-semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S3/005)}
- G02B 5/045: {Prism arrays}
- G02B 6/0068: {Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources}
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

Optical systems are disclosed. More particularly, optical systems including an asymmetric turning film (110) with at least a first (120) and second light source (130) are disclosed. Selection of geometries for the asymmetric turning film can enable different output viewing angles depending on the selective illumination of the first light source, the second light source, or both. The optical systems disclosed may be suitable in both luminaires and displays.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical system, comprising:
a first light source and a second light source having differently oriented light distributions;
an asymmetric turning film comprising a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein the first major surface is substantially smooth and the second major surface comprises a plurality of identical microstructures each comprising a first face having a first shape and a second face having a different second shape; and
a polarizer;
wherein light from the first light source is preferentially reflected by the first face but not the second face, and is transmitted through the second face;
wherein light from the second light source is preferentially reflected by the second face but not the first face, and is transmitted through the first face;
wherein the asymmetric turning film is laminated to the polarizer; and wherein the first shape is substantially flat and the second shape is substantially curved.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a lightguide configured to transport
light from at least one of the first light source and the second light source.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The optical system of claim 2, further comprising a second lightguide configured to
transport light from at least one of the first light source and the second light source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The optical system of claim 3, wherein the first lightguide and the second lightguide are stacked.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of microstructures is the same lateral cross-sectional shape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, wherein each microstructure of the plurality of microstructures further comprises a third face having a third shape, wherein either light from the first light source is preferentially reflected by the first face and the third face but not the second face or light from the second light source is preferentially reflected by the second face and the third face but not the first face.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of microstructures, each comprising a third face having a third shape and a fourth face having a different fourth shape, wherein the third face preferentially reflects light from the first light source but not the second light source, wherein the fourth face preferentially reflects light from the second light source but not the first light source, and wherein at least two of the first shape, the second shape, the third shape, and the fourth shape are different.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, wherein the second major surface of the asymmetric turning film includes at least one of an antireflective coating or an antireflective structured surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first face or the second face includes a sawtooth or sinusoidal surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The optical system of claim 1, wherein the optical system has two display modes, wherein in the first mode, only the first light source emits light, and in the second mode, only the second light source emits light.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The optical system of claim 10, wherein the optical system has a third mode, wherein in the third mode, both the first light source and the second light source emits light.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A luminaire comprising the optical system of claim 1.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A display comprising the optical system of claim 1.
